Did you lose your iPhone or iPad? Here’s exactly what you need to do to find it

When it comes to your smartphone or tablet, there is absolutely nothing worse than the feeling you get when you realize your device is no longer by your side. First, a moment of sheer terror causes you to freeze in place. Then panic sets in and the frantic rush to retrace your steps and think of where you might have left your device makes accurately retracing those steps incredibly difficult.

But it doesn’t have to be such a horrible experience.

Longtime iPhone and iPad users are likely familiar with Apple’s iOS device recovery features, but you would be shocked to learn how many people don’t know about these features or simply don’t bother to set them up.

We can’t stress this enough: Configure the recovery features on your iPhones and iPads, people.

The simple guide walks users through the process of entering “Lost Mode,” which allows you to remotely lock your iPhone or iPad and display a message on the screen. For example, you write out a message that includes your phone number and offers a reward to anyone who finds your device and returns it to you.

Lost mode will also track your device and show you its location on a map.

But once again… none of Apple’s great iOS device recovery features are useful at all if you don’t configure them when you first set up your device. A few seconds when you first buy your phone or tablet can save you hundreds of dollars down the road.

Apple Toolbox’s guide can be found by clicking through the link below in our source section.